ROMANS 14 COMMENTARY




I. RECEIVING A BROTHER WHO IS WEAK IN THE FAITH (1-13)


A. Are to receive the weak brother, but not for the purpose of disputing over things which are doubtful. (1)
This weakness in faith had nothing to do with faith in Jesus Christ, but differences of personal convictions. These differences were caused by the various religious backgrounds of the Jewish and Gentile Christians. The word "weak" here means lacking in proper knowledge and understanding (1 Cor. 8:7).

B. The illustration of eating meats. (2,3)
Paul compares the weak (no meat, special days) to the strong (nothing unclean, no special days) in verses 2-6. In verse 2 it is impossible to determine who the non-meat eaters were, Jew or Gentile. Either could have reasons for abstaining. Paul perceived that trouble would brew over these differences. The key verse of the chapter is verse 19. Our faith in Christ is not based on our diet per se, and we should not force our culinary opinions on others.

C. We are not to judge another man's servant. (4)
Matters of opinion are strictly between the individual and the Lord. For one to condemn the Lord's servant, does not change the servant's standing with the Lord.

D. The illustration of esteeming one day above another. (5,6)
Many Jewish Christians would demand that certain days be held as special or holidays. Besides the Lord's day, Christ has set aside no other special days that must be kept by the faithful. So-called Christian holy days can no more be adopted by the church than the Jewish holy days under discussion here. (Gal. 4:10,11; Col. 2:16) These observances are left to the individual as long as they do not conflict with the gospel.

E. Everything we do is to the Lord and before Him we shall stand and give account for our (7) actions. (7-12)
Our personal activities should be in compliance with God's will. We should be trying to please God. Verse 7 is speaking of our relationship to the Lord, not others. Why must we please God? Because He is our Lord and Master. Even in death, the Christian belongs to the Lord. When it comes to judgment, we will account for our own actions. Salvation is an individual matter. The non-meat eating day observers were judging or condemning the meat eating non-day observers. meanwhile the second group looked at the first group as being foolish. Serious consequences would result if their attitudes prevailed (Isa. 45:23; Mt. 7:15; Phil. 3:2)

F. So rather than judge each other, we should instead be careful not to put a stumbling block in our brother's way. (13)
Even though we are at liberty in these matters, to exercise them at the risk of harming another is not a Christian attitude (1 Cor. 8; 10:14-33). Remember: matters of faith are essential to salvation while matters of opinion are non-essential to salvation.


II. MAKING CAREFUL USE OF OUR LIBERTY (14-23)


A. Though there is nothing unclean of itself, if one esteems something to be unclean, to him it is unclean. (14)
The distinction made by the Law of Moses is no longer in force. We must teach people what is right, but we must not induce someone to do something he thinks is wrong. This verse is particularly discussing eating.

B. One needs to be careful how liberty affects others. (15,16)
Love would not let you destroy your brother over what you eat. In this instance we should please our brother. Paul's point can be more easily seen by reading verses 13 and 15 and leaving out the parenthetical verse 14. This is talking about more damage than just hurting someone's feelings. With the help of a bad attitude, good can be transformed into evil. This bad attitude will destroy's a Christians influence.

C. What constitutes acceptable service in the kingdom of God? (17,18)
Food and drink have no importance when compared with righteousness, joy and peace. If some food must be set aside or completely given up to achieve these then so be it. In a congregation where members treat each other right and are at peace among themselves, there is joy in the Holy Spirit. The promoter of these conditions is approved by God and other righteous men.

D. Therefore, follow after peace and how we may edify one another. (19)
Pushing our personal opinions or rights to the point where they disturb the church is wrong (Eph. 4:3). There can be no building up without peace. What is to be built up? Knowledge, faith and righteous living.

E. Do not allow your personal likings to offend and make weak your brother and thereby destroy the work of God. (20,21)
Overthrowing the faith of another Christian is a serious matter. The things declared clean in these verses is meats. The word offense here is more than hurt feelings, but could be an occasion to sin or a stumbling block. When a Christian violates his conscience or convictions this stumbling takes place. It can become imperative for a strong Christian to abstain to save a weak Christian. What are parallels today? Certainly meat sacrificed to idols should not be a problem.

F. Keep your convictions on doubtful things to yourself; but if you have doubt, don't engage in that particular activity in which you are doubtful. (22,23)
The faith must be spread throughout the world. The strong Christian would realize that the distinction between meats had been done away. But this entire chapter has been showing us that such faith must not be exercised to another's detriment. Controlling your liberties for your brother's sake will make you blessed. Believing a thing is right does not make it right, but believing a thing is wrong, makes it wrong for you! A doubtful thing engaged, becomes a wrong thing.

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